For the Belarusian weekly Zhoda the publication of some of the infamous Mohammed caricatures may have dramatic consequences. Last week Belarusian prosecutors opened a criminal probe into the newspaper that is accused of having incited religious hatred by printing the cartoons. But according to Zhoda’s editor-in-chief the case is politically motivated. (01-MAR-06)

Written by HRH Oslo / Ralph Pluimert

According to the Danish internet-magazine eJour no less than 143 newspapers in 56 countries have until today printed the Mohammed caricatures that have caused so much commotion among Muslims worldwide. But their list was not complete since they did not add the Belarusian weekly Zhoda to their list. Zhoda reprinted the cartoons on February 17, like most other media, to illustrate an article about the deadly impact of the protests.

Religious hatred
But the Belarusian authorities could not appreciate this illustration. They were of opinion that Zhoda by publishing the cartoons has incited religious hatred. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the publication is provocative. “Caricatures were reprinted from western mass media and contradict the policy of Belarusian authorities. Maintenance of religious peace and consent is one of the major priorities in the policy of Belarus.” The Minsk state prosecutor therefore began legal action on 22 February against the weekly for “incitement to religious hatred” (article 130 of the criminal code), which is punishable by a fine or up to five years in prison.

Political
But according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), editor-in-chief Aleksei Korol believes the government uses the case as a pretext to close the newspaper, which is seen as close to the Hramada Social Democratic Party. Its leader Alyaksandr Kuzulin is one of the four presidential candidates for the presidential elections. Also last week, another newspaper called ‘Solidarity’ printed its last edition. Its editors said they were forced to lay down the newspaper after a series of measures taken by the Lukashenko administration. Earlier Human Rights House Network reported on the condemnation by HRH and Norwegian PEN of one of these restrictive government policies.

Photo: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty